Forums > Motorcycle Discussion > G450X to be Built in Taiwan by KYMCO

Oh No, What's next ?

BMW little Pink Scooters, Don't let my wife find out !!!...

JC

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06 Ducati 620 Multistrada [Rabbit] ;

it's the reality of today's global sourcing.  with Euro bring so strong, and dollar weak (about $1.50 for each Euro) more European manufacturers are being forced to look for ways to be able to offer their bikes at a competitive price.  G450 is still being made in Germany of course, but the engine, it seems, is being sourced from Kymco.

on the same note, Triumph is gradually moving more and more of its production to Thailand...

Triumph by Wikipedia:

… in 2003, Triumph opened a new, cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Thailand. Also, assembly and painting facility in Thailand was opened this year (2006) by Prince Andrew. Triumph is building another facility in Thailand supposedly to be an engine manufacturing site. ...

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Shiva,

Yeah, the hard-core Brit-bike guys were initially in apparent shock and outrage at the news of non-British hands actually touching and assembling the sacred working bits of a British bike.  However, after getting used to the idea and especially how overseas assembly keeps prices down, now hard-core Brit-Bike guys are beginning to rationalize the situation.

After all . . . if the concept and design is British (or German) what does it really matter what language is being spoken by the person on the assembly line working the air wrenches. 

Personally I think the dynamic is much deeper than that popular view but I'm sitting quiet.

Outsourcing IS as old as the Industrial Revolution.

C

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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.

I, like so many others have a certain feelinig about where the products that I purchase are manufactured.  I know that if we break down a lot of products we often find that individual components are sourced from many nations.

We do live in an ever smaller World...................but I am not sure about a motor made in Taiwan (I have no doubt that they can manufacture it to the required controlled standards) in my 'German' motorcycle. 

Motorcycles in particular evoke a lot of emotions (in my opinion far more than any car) and important personal associations.................I would some how feel let down by such outsourcing.

Having recently moved here from the UK and still 'learning' about a lot of different things I have been teased by a friend (in a friendly manner) about driving a Japanese import.  I have a Nissan Titan, a product designed in the US for the US market, assembled in the US by Americans, with more than 50% domestic components........but it is still called an import?  My friend who teases me about it drives a Chevvy Avalanche - I did my homework, it seems that the chevvy is made in Mexico.  So, who really drives the import?  Besides, what I didn't tell me friend is that Nissan are owned by Renault................a French company!

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Everyone is entitled to my opinion!

How about we "take advantage" of that weak dollar and get some motorcycle production going in Spartanburg? Then BMW can still have their profit and we can create some jobs here.

How about we "take advantage" of that weak dollar and get some motorcycle production going in Spartanburg? Then BMW can still have their profit and we can create some jobs here.

 if BMW's volumes were higher in the US for bikes, they would have considered it.  You can't set up a plant just to make a couple of thousand bikes a year.  That's more like a volume of a very busy custom cruiser shop.  also with all the different engines and platforms, it would not workout for such a small market.

 Besides, what I didn't tell me friend is that Nissan are owned by Renault................a French company!

From Wikipedia:
"In the late 20th century, with Nissan facing severe financial difficulties, Nissan entered an alliance with Renault S.A. of France. Signed on March 27, 1999, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is the first of its kind involving a Japanese and a French company, each with its own distinct corporate culture and brand identity. The same year, Renault appointed its own Chief Operating Officer, the Brazilian-born Carlos Ghosn (of Lebanese descent), as Chief Operating Officer of Nissan and took a 22.5% stake in Nissan Diesel. Later that year, Nissan fired its top Japanese executives.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is a unique group of two global companies linked by cross-shareholding, with Renault holding 44.3% of Nissan shares, while Nissan holds 15% of Renault shares."

 

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First, BMW sourced motors from Rotax and now there's Kymco. Who's next, Briggs & Stratton?

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1994 K1100RS & 2005 Harley Electra Glide

 Fantastic suggestion...............but as Shiva points out the US does not buy enough bikes.  Did you know that the UK purchase more BMW bikes that the whole US?

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Everyone is entitled to my opinion!

I don't have 2007 figures, but according to Shiva, the USA was the third largest market for BMW Motorcycles in 2006.

http://www.bmwxplor.com/forums/topic/show/124

Since they sell so many bikes in Europe, and since the euro is strong relative to the dollar, they could make good profit on bikes or parts made here in the states.

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My local dealer will start selling Kymco scooters next month. I wonder if there is a closer relationship developing.

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If you meet the Buddha, kill him

How about John Deere or Caterpiller ??I just saw one in one of my mags to be given away as a charity thing, not street legal of course!!??????It was made by one of those chopper companies with V-twin power I suppose!

JC

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06 Ducati 620 Multistrada [Rabbit] ;

That is very interesting. Remember that BMW bought Husqvarna a while ago. I would've expected Beemer and Husky to start sharing dealerships.

I wonder what Beemer and Kymco might be up to.

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The local guys will be selling Huski's too. AND, MV Augusta!

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If you meet the Buddha, kill him

Sadly in this day of world wide competition the way it is. Most dealers will and do have to add in as many brands it takes to keep the most sales up! To keep the doors open. And as has been noted with the $ against the Euro differential being so great [$1.45 or so to 1 E]

Can you imagine the parts and training of mechanics necessary to cover all of the just BMW models then a scooter line and Agusta line, etc,etc.,etc. !!!!!

Gotta be hard to be in the bike business these days? With the Mom and Pop shops getting close to extinction. Our own local dealer[here in KC, Engles Motors BMW Thriumph] suffers from show room congestion just with all the new BMW's and he also carries Thriumph. Is a great dealer, been there for years, but suffers the pain of a Mom and Pop business. Can't afford to move or build on as is the case that we have seen the last few years with the St. Loius dealer just now coming back as a good example !! 

Being with out a dealer for way over a year. A metro area that big, lost out as the next closer BMW dealer being from 150 to 250 miles away !!!Some just went to other brands and probly won't be back. Last year saw several large dealers goin' out across the country.

I wish I knew the answer or solution to these kind of problems but alas I'm only a poor simple consumer and pay what ever for the service and bikes I have. And Globally accept the farming out of bikes to who ever can get the various parts made the cheapest!!

JC 

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06 Ducati 620 Multistrada [Rabbit] ;